Viper barrel vise for scope mounting?

nick112288 · Oct 10, 2024

So I'm trying to come up with a solution for a gun vise for mounting scopes.

I've looked at the usual, but then thought hey, I have a Viper barrel vise, why not use that?

Would there be anything inherently wrong with using the barrel of the rifle to support the gun while mounting the scope?

I dont have a work bench (working on that) so I was looking at either the all in one typw table top vise, or some that i could simply clamp to the table with c clamps.

Rob01 · Oct 10, 2024

Why not just use the bipod and set the rifle on a table?

nick112288 · Oct 10, 2024

Rob01 said:
Why not just use the bipod and set the rifle on a table?

Thought about that, but don't currently have any bipods.

Plus the one is a Ruger American, so without going through the trouble of modifying or replacing the stock, I'd have to rely on a sling stud mounted bipod, and I wasn't sure if that would be stable enough.

Rob01 · Oct 10, 2024

Sling stud bipod is more than stable enough. Have done it that way for many years.

LuvDog · Oct 11, 2024

Where do you clamp your barrel vise to if you don't have a workbench?

But, I use this simply vise/stand more often than my other vises/stands

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UUBLYGS

nick112288 · Oct 11, 2024

LuvDog said:
Where do you clamp your barrel vise to if you don't have a workbench?

But, I use this simply vise/stand more often than my other vises/stands

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UUBLYGS

Mounted to a 4x4, stand on each side of the vise to hold it in place. I've only used it for muzzle devices. In theory I could use C Clamps to attach it to the kitchen table.

Does that vise hold your rifles steady enough for scope mounting? I should add I'm not doing this for 1,000 yard precision shooting. These are going on rifles that hunt/target shoot at 200 yards or less.

fdkay · Oct 11, 2024

Yes, it will work.
I would suggest removing the barreled action from the stock to reduce the pressure on the barrel and the leverage that may cause unsteadiness in your setup.

Baron23 · Oct 11, 2024

I have one of these from Wheeler

I use this ^^ in a bench vise, then put the barrel in it, level the BA (or mounted in a chassis) at the scope rail, then mount and level the scope. I check it afterward against a plumb bob (yes, I wear a belt and suspenders! haha) and its always been GTG.

I'm sure you could do the same with a barrel vise but using C clamps to hold it down sound pretty sketchy to me.

Cheers

Rob01 · Oct 11, 2024

If you are going to buy something then buy a bipod. It will be more use after mounting the scope than any other tool.

b6graham · Oct 11, 2024

Rob01 said:
If you are going to buy something then buy a bipod. It will be more use after mounting the scope than any other tool.

yup this. never used anything but a bipod

LuvDog · Oct 11, 2024

I won't argue that a bipod would be more useful after you've mounted the scope. Because you would also obviously use it while shooting.

But I would argue that a simple gun vise isn't extremely useful or cleaning, repairs, assembly/disassembly, etc. I'll reach for that gun vise before I reach for the bipod if I'm removing the BA, cleaning, mounting a scope or accessory, or other maintenance.

carbonbased · Oct 11, 2024

LuvDog said:
Where do you clamp your barrel vise to if you don't have a workbench?

For me, a tripod. It’s up high so you can see better, adjust LOP with scope eye relief in mind, spin ‘er around easy, and plumb the reticle.

I use my workbench for bore cleaning, mostly.

carbonbased · Oct 11, 2024

Thinking about getting get this Arca+pic rail clamp enabler thing someday.

DependaBite Arca and Picatinny Universal Vise Jaws

Full length R-Lock dovetail rails for Magpul Pro 700 Chassis.

www.sawtoothrifles.com

Now I wouldn’t clamp the scope rail like some of his pics show. Teeny weeny scope rail screws and a heavy-ass gun? Or even a heavy barreled action? Naw.

Ronin22 · Oct 11, 2024

One is simply setting a scope into two open rings utilizing light taps and inch pounds of torque. @nick112288 I've mounted scopes on the kitchen table using cardboard boxes, gun cleaning cradle, hell even in my lap when I had witness marks on the tube. The barrel vise is one of the dumbest things I can think to use for scope mounting. Not trying to offend or hate, just pure honesty on the proposal.

nick112288 · Oct 11, 2024

Ronin22 said:
One is simply setting a scope into two open rings utilizing light taps and inch pounds of torque. @nick112288 I've mounted scopes on the kitchen table using cardboard boxes, gun cleaning cradle, hell even in my lap when I had witness marks on the tube. The barrel vise is one of the dumbest things I can think to use for scope mounting. Not trying to offend or hate, just pure honesty on the proposal.

No offense taken, was just seeing if I could use a tool I have on hand.

viking78 · Oct 11, 2024

Precision Scope Leveling Mount

Built using the same Arrow Products precision and quality as the Rock Vise! Using a unique positive retention, off-center, single hinge design, the mount has a zero back-lash brass thumb-screw and two built-in levels to ensure your scope is as precise as possible. No need for jamb-nuts. Made...

www.arrowproductsusa.com

stello1001 · Oct 11, 2024

I just do it on the couch, bed, wherever.

LuvDog · Oct 11, 2024

nick112288 said:
Mounted to a 4x4, stand on each side of the vise to hold it in place. I've only used it for muzzle devices. In theory I could use C Clamps to attach it to the kitchen table.

Does that vise hold your rifles steady enough for scope mounting? I should add I'm not doing this for 1,000 yard precision shooting. These are going on rifles that hunt/target shoot at 200 yards or less.

Yes, that simple folding portable gun vise has worked fine for me.

Heck. you could probably even just bungee/strap/tape your rifle to the 4x4 you use and mount your scope.

Rob01 · Oct 11, 2024

nick112288 said:
No offense taken, was just seeing if I could use a tool I have on hand.

If that is all you have and don't want to buy a bipod then you can make it work. Will have to get the rifle level as you tighten it in and then just mount the scope. I usually only use the rear ring with two screws to snug the scope down level and then install the front ring completely and then loosen the two rear screws and then install all 4. It works and is easier that way than fighting all the screws to level.

Baron23 · Oct 11, 2024

carbonbased said:
Thinking about getting get this Arca+pic rail clamp enabler thing someday.

DependaBite Arca and Picatinny Universal Vise Jaws

Full length R-Lock dovetail rails for Magpul Pro 700 Chassis.

www.sawtoothrifles.com

View attachment 8522134
View attachment 8522135
View attachment 8522136

Now I wouldn’t clamp the scope rail like some of his pics show. Teeny weeny scope rail screws and a heavy-ass gun? Or even a heavy bra reeled action? Naw.

It’sa great product and I use it regularly to clean or tinker. But to get the gun level for scope mounting, I prefer to use the Wheeler jaws I posted above so I can rotate the gun to level.

Don’t know how you’d do that with the Dependabilt.

Rob01 · Oct 11, 2024

You can get this for $41 and it has a use after mounting.

Caldwell bipod at Amazon

carbonbased · Oct 11, 2024

Baron23 said:
It’sa great product and I use it regularly to clean or tinker. But to get the gun level for scope mounting, I prefer to use the Wheeler jaws I posted above so I can rotate the gun to level.

Don’t know how you’d do that with the Dependabilt.

Totally agree and I was riffing on something to hold the gun for other stuff, sorta responding to @LuvDog et al.

For scope mounting, for me, a tripod with an Arca or pic clamp is tits ahoy!

I think I just made a new saying up.

No, of course not, everything’s already been done lol gdamnit

Tits Ahoy (Video 2004) ⭐ 5.2 | Adult

2h 11m

m.imdb.com

nick112288 · Oct 12, 2024

I actually thought about a tripod. Getting a Bog deathgrip and doing the ball mount conversion.

TonyAngel · Oct 12, 2024

All of my rifles are magazine fed, so I use the magwell to hold the rifle in a vice. On AR platform rifles, i just use the magwell fixture. On my bolt actions that won't work with an AR fixture, I made fixtures out of wood.

mike278 · Oct 14, 2024

Just make a cheap leveling fixture. A picatinny is a picatinny, so you don't need the gun, just the scope and mount(s). You can get all the parts off ebay and Amazon, including the plate and taps for the threaded holes. Level the fixture, then level the reticle using a plumb line or level. Tighten it down and recheck. Done

Rob01 · Oct 14, 2024

But it’s going ON THE RIFLE so why waste money on a different set up? Amazes me. Lol

mike278 · Oct 14, 2024

Because it's probably not the last scope you'll ever mount, and it makes it incredibly easy

Rob01 · Oct 14, 2024

No easier than on the rifle.

mike278 · Oct 14, 2024

Okay. I guess your rifle is different than mine, but mine doesn't have leveling knobs

Rob01 · Oct 14, 2024

mike278 said:
Okay. I guess your rifle is different than mine, but mine doesn't have leveling knobs

Get a bipod that has a swivel in it so you can level the rifle while shooting it and it will.

mike278 · Oct 14, 2024

Or you could just stack feeler gauges between the flat on the scope and the base. There's a million ways to do it. I was just offering an idea that the OP could take or leave. I apologize for accidentally touching a no-no spot

Rob01 · Oct 14, 2024

mike278 said:
Or you could just stack feeler gauges between the flat on the scope and the base. There's a million ways to do it. I was just offering an idea that the OP could take or leave. I apologize for accidentally touching a no-no spot

I just don't want him or anyone else who will read this to think they need to buy all sorts of equipment to do a simple job of mounting a scope.

TonyAngel · Oct 17, 2024

Sorry guys, but I've gotta ask. Have you guys actually gotten enough scopes where the bottom of the turret housing doesn't align with the reticle to make all of the trouble worthwhile to level a scope?

I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but I mount my optics right on the rifle using a bipod or other improvised fixture just to hold the rifle up. I level using an Arisaka leveling jig and I've never had a problem. The first time I used the jig, I did confirm with levels and a plumb bob, but since then, I just use the jig.

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Viper barrel vise for scope mounting?

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